CHAPTER 3: DIETRICH VON LOHENGRIN

I woke up slowly, uneventfully. The sunlight piercing my window warmed me enough to make me uncomfortable, and I reached for my ring. It was usually placed on my nightstand next to my bed; I took it off every night and put it back on during the day. It was a pretty ring, a beautiful lapis lazuli gemstone that emitted particles that filter UV rays from sunlight, allowing me to walk out during the day.

It took me a minute, but I finally found it, so I slipped it on my ring finger and had a look around. Same room, same bed, same everything. I sighed in relief. Perhaps last night's little fiasco was nothing more than a dream. It seemed that way. However vivid it was, a terran putting out a methuselah was simply unheard of. I was stronger than that. It saddened me, however, that I'll never see his face again, but it is what it is.

I heard something that sounded like footsteps coming down the hallway, my hallway, to my room; I jolted up, startled. Three raps on the door, and I sighed again in relief. I had forgotten that I had servants who woke me up every day. I fixed my hair a bit and answered the knocks with an aristocratic voice that was drilled into me," Come in." The door opened slowly, it seemed like a thousand years before it was ajar.

And there he was. My jaw dropped slightly. I guess it wasn't a dream at all. More like a real life nightmare. I glared at the boy as he came into my room with a tray of food and that same attractive voice I had heard last night," It's not the best, but I do have some cooking skills. You should eat something. Those cuts from my strings last night haven't healed, so obviously you need food since I'm not exactly willing to give you my blood." Damn, so he knew I was a methuselah.

I waved him away," Just send one of my servants in here. The short sandy blonde boy should work nicely." I gave a wicked look, hoping to give him a little shiver up his spine. To no avail, I abandoned my face and simply stared past him until he spoke again.

"I'm sorry, but none of your servants showed up this morning. They were all dismissed yesterday, remember?" He smiled mockingly.

"No, actually I don't. Now stop playing games with me and fetch one of them. If you have the courtesy to make me food, then surely telling one of them to come here is no hassle." I was beginning to get irritated. I was thirsty.

"But sadly, none of them are here." His smile began to fade. I sighed and accepted defeat for now.

"Fine." His smile returned and he brought the tray over. He bowed and turned to leave while I ate I halted him, "Wait." He obeyed.

"Yes?" He asked. Damn, that voice gets me every time. He didn't seem like he was going to leave, so I may as well get acquainted with him.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name is Irena Castellan, and what is yours? I didn't catch it while you attacked me last night."

"If I remember correctly, you are the one who attacked me first." He smirked. Stupid kid. I growled in response. "Alright, alright. My name is Dietrich von Lohengrin." He seemed very satisfied when my breath took a sudden intake. Without another word, he had left the room for me to ponder over the crucial bit of information that was just handed to me. Dietrich von Lohengrin. Son of the Duke of Germanicus and 3rd officer and of the Rosenkruetz Orden. Shit. If they sent out this guy for me, then Cain must have some serious business with me.

I ate in silence. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating. I ate every bit of food on my tray and drank my tea. I could feel the wounds around my throat begin to heal, but they had been cut deep. They would need time to completely mend.

Dietrich came back in shortly after I finished. I must admit, the kid has good timing. He cleared everything and recommended that I get dressed. I did so. Hopefully the Rosenkruetz wouldn't be too upset about me. I had thought quite a bit about the possibilities of his visit and it didn't take me long to figure it out. I knew why Dietrich was here. He was the ambassador for my invitation to rejoin the Orden. Despite my hatred of terrans, planning and carrying out their total annihilation was not something I was keen on doing, but I also knew that if I didn't join, they'd keep coming at me with the invitation, likely promising a good rank just to sweeten the deal. When I would continuously reject them eventually Cain would come, and I'd be forced to join or die. Die simply because I am a former member of the original Rosenkruetz Orden. Therefore I know far too much, and I had no intention of going back to serve Cain. Hmm, this could get messy…